MPI is working to reduce the risk of brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSBs) getting into New Zealand. Stink bugs are a serious pest for agriculture and horticulture and can be a social nuisance. If you're importing vehicles, machinery or equipment there are requirements you must meet.
IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD
Ensure you are using the latest standard
You must meet requirements under the import health standard for vehicles, machinery, and equipment issued 24 August 2018.
If you're importing break-bulk (not in a container) or containerised sea cargo from certain countries, you must meet certain MPI requirements to manage the risk of brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSBs) getting into New Zealand. The list of countries that need to meet these requirements are in Schedule 3 of the IHS issued on 24 August 2018. They are:
Austria
Bulgaria
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Liechtenstein
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
the USA.
MPI targets imported goods that have a higher risk of carrying the BMSB. These goods include new and used vehicles, vessels, machinery, and equipment which:
must be cleaned and treated to control BMSB if from Schedule 3 countries
must be cleaned and treated to control BMSB (and other pests) before shipment if from Japan
may be inspected on arrival in New Zealand if from a country of concern for BMSB.
You must provide documentation to MPI showing your goods meet the requirements of the IHS for Vehicles, Machinery and Equipment. The definition of vehicles and machinery is broad – check which goods are included in the IHS.
All containerised goods from Schedule 3 countries are at risk of carrying BMSB and may be inspected during the BMSB season.
BMSB season – when the measures apply
The risk season is from 1 September until 30 April. Note, MPI may apply emergency measures if we find BMSB infestations.
Is your cargo transhipping via a BMSB-risk country?
Sometimes, new and used vehicles and machinery are manufactured in (or originate from) a 'non-BMSB-risk country', but then get transhipped via a 'BMSB-risk country' on their way to New Zealand. This includes Japan and Schedule 3 countries. This transhipping may expose the cargo to the risk of BMSB. Because of this, MPI has conditions you need to meet if you're transhipping during the BMSB-risk season (September to April of each year). You may need to meet these transhipping and treatment conditions, as well as other IHS requirements.
We've prepared information to help you understand what you need to do if you're transhipping your cargo through a BMSB-risk country.
Is your cargo being treated in a BMSB-risk country?
New or used vehicles and machinery from BMSB-risk countries can meet BMSB requirements if they use MPI-approved treatments before they arrive in New Zealand. However, there are treatment conditions which importers also need to meet before MPI will accept the treatment. We've prepared information to help you understand what you need to do if you're treating your cargo in a BMSB-risk country.
If you're importing vehicles, machinery, or equipment you must meet the following requirements.
Treat target goods
Break bulk goods
Targeted risk goods shipped as break bulk (not in containers) during the BMSB season from Schedule 3 countries and Japan must meet requirements in the IHS for Vehicles, Machinery, and Equipment. This applies unless they are under an MPI-approved system or safeguarding arrangements. If you want to import under safeguarding arrangements, refer to the 'Use safeguarding arrangements' section below.
Break-bulk vehicles and machinery that don't come from Schedule 3 countries or Japan, but are transhipped through these countries, don't require treatment, but must:
have been on the port of export and any following transit port in a BMSB area for no more than 120 hours
be separated from all untreated high-risk BMSB cargo at all times.
If your goods arrive untreated, we may refuse biosecurity clearance and reship them.
Vehicles and machinery shipped as FCL (full container load) and FCX (full container load from multiple suppliers) must meet the same requirements as break bulk goods.
If goods were loaded from 1 September and arrived before 30 April from Japan, they must be treated before they arrive. For Schedule 3 countries, they must be treated before they arrive or may be treated on arrival. This applies to all target goods except those under MPI-approved systems or safeguarding arrangements.
Containerised goods from BMSB risk countries may be treated up to 21 days before they are shipped.
FCL/FCX containerised vehicles and machinery that arrive in New Zealand untreated from Schedule 3 countries will require treatment onshore. Importers or agents can choose treatment at either:
the port of arrival, or
an MPI-approved transitional facility capable of fumigation.
State your chosen option when applying for a Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) to minimise delays.
All containerised goods from risk countries may be inspected.
Aircraft, motorboats, and yachts from all countries
Aircraft (helicopters and planes), motorboats, and yachts (whether break-bulk or containerised, new or used) from any country must be clean inside and out.
During the BMSB season
Aircraft, motorboats, and yachts from Japan and Schedule 3 countries must also be treated externally and internally by fogging or spraying with a residual insecticide if they leave on or after 1 September and arrive here on or before 30 April. All compartments must be opened before fogging or spraying.
You must treat with insecticide:
in the country of origin before shipping to New Zealand
again on arrival in New Zealand, followed by an inspection.
Treated goods must be certified and labelled as described in Section 2.1(2) of the IHS.
Some containers treated as break bulk
We class flat racks, open top, and soft-top containers as break bulk because BMSB could escape from them. If these arrive untreated, they may not be allowed off the ship and are likely to be reshipped.
Treatment options
Goods must be treated using one of the following:
Heat treatment at 56°C for 30 minutes for items of all sizes.
Heat treatment at 60°C for 10 minutes for items weighing less than 3000kg.
Heat treatment at 60°C for 20 minutes for items weighing more than 3000kg.
Methyl bromide fumigation applied at a rate of at least a CT (concentration x time exposure) of 200 gh/m3 over a minimum of 12 hours at 10°C or above. This can be achieved by applying 24g/m³ for 12 hours at 10°C to 15°C (or greater) with an end reading of 12g/m³ (50% or more of the initial concentration).
Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation applied at a rate of at least a CT of 200 gh/m3 over a minimum of 12 hours at 10°C or above. This can be achieved by applying 20g/m³ for 12 hours at 10°C or greater with an end reading of 14g/m³ (50% or more of the initial concentration).
Where fumigation or heat treatment is likely to permanently damage sensitive freight, MPI will consider alternative measures, for example:
lower methyl bromide rates
fogging with a residual insecticide (specified in the MPI Standard Approved Biosecurity Treatments).
MPI may inspect the freight after treatment at a transitional facility. We'll base our approval and inspection decision on BMSB risk assessments for each sensitive cargo consignment.
To request a risk assessment and approval for alternative treatment, contact your local MPI office or the Target Evaluation Team.
If you're importing new and used vehicles and machinery as air freight, before arrival check what is required with MPI. Air freighted risk goods from Japan or Schedule 3 countries must meet IHS requirements for those countries. MPI will assess them and they may require inspection or treatment or both.
120 hours of loading for shipment from Schedule 3 countries and from the East Coast of the USA
144 hours of loading for shipment from the West Coast of the USA.
Treatment of cargo in fully sealable shipping containers may be up to 21 days before shipping.
Treatment of containers before shipping is preferred and will help reduce delays with biosecurity clearance on arrival.
Keep treated and untreated goods apart
To avoid cross-contamination, we recommend you keep treated and untreated break-bulk goods separated both on the wharf before loading and on the vessel.
All break-bulk cargo of vehicles and machinery from BMSB risk countries must be separated from untreated high-risk cargo. If it isn't, we may refuse unloading or require treatment.
Break-bulk cargo of vehicles and machinery that isn't from a Schedule 3 country or Japan, but is trans-shipped through these countries doesn't require treatment but must be separated from untreated high-risk BMSB cargo.
Have an MPI-Approved System
An MPI-approved system is an option for meeting BMSB requirements specified in the Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment IHS. An MPI-approved system must provide a high level of risk management against BMSB and other regulated pests. This can be achieved through various risk management measures, which you can carry out any time from when the vehicle or machine is manufactured, until the time it arrives in New Zealand.
If you would like to discuss the possibility of an MPI-approved system for vehicles and machinery, email standards@mpi.govt.nz
Provide correct documentation
We recommend you send us the correct documents at least 48 hours before the goods arrive.
If the required documents aren't submitted in time or are incomplete, the goods will be regarded as untreated and directed for treatment onshore.
If you are importing break-bulk goods and documentation doesn't show they have been treated correctly, we may re-ship them at your expense.
Cleaning certificate required for used machinery
From 1 December 2018, a cleaning certificate will be required on the approved MPI cleaning certificate template. This confirms that the used machinery was cleaned externally and internally (involving disassembly) before arrival in New Zealand and includes:
date cleaned (and dismantled where required)
cleaning provider's letterhead/logo including name and physical address
name and signature of the person who conducted or supervised the cleaning.
There are other requirements for used machinery from Japan or Schedule 3 countries.
Where treatment is required, a treatment certificate must:
identify the cargo treated and include a unique identifiable link to the consignment
specify the date of BMSB treatment, the type of treatment, and the treatment duration
state the actual concentration of gas (if fumigated) achieved and the temperature inside the enclosure
declare that the goods were treated prior to any plastic wrapping.
Cargo must be labelled as treated.
Bill of lading
The bill of lading must include the shipped-on-board date. MPI uses this as the date shipped from BMSB risk countries to decide whether goods are under seasonal requirements.
The MPI-Approved new Vehicle and Machinery System will use various risk management measures to manage BMSB risk.
Used vehicles from Japan
Break bulk or sea container
All used vehicles (including motorcycles) must be managed by an MPI-Approved System, which includes an MPI-Approved Treatment during BMSB risk season (Section 3.6.2 of the IHS).
The MPI-Approved Used Vehicle System will use cleaning and/or treatment to manage BMSB risk depending on vehicle type.
Used machinery from Japan
Break bulk or sea container
Must be cleaned and certified by an MPI-Approved Cleaning Provider and be treated before arrival in New Zealand during BMSB risk season (Section 3.6.3 of the IHS).
An MPI-Approved Used Vehicle System can be used for machinery to meet both requirements if MPI has approved them to do so.
Used vehicle and machinery parts and equipment from Japan
Break bulk or sea container
Used vehicle and machinery parts and equipment from Japan do not currently have BMSB requirements unless they are going to be shipped as break bulk (which means they would fall under section 3.6 of the IHS).
Whole vehicles imported as break bulk parts must be treated as a used vehicle under Section 3.6.
See parts/equipment section for treatment requirement options (Section 3.2. 2 (b)) for containerised parts.
New or used vehicles, machinery and equipment from Schedule 3 countries
Break bulk (open side, open top or flat rack are considered break bulk under section 3.7)
Treat before arriving in New Zealand during BMSB risk season (Section 3.7: Option B).
OR
Must be managed by an MPI-Approved system (Option A).
Treatment condition:
See offshore treatment conditions section (child page Treatment requirements for breakbulk cargo and BMSB-risk countries).
Management of used vehicles under an MPI-Approved System is very likely to require an MPI-approved treatment during the BMSB season.
Fully enclosed sea container
Treated before or on arrival in New Zealand during BMSB risk season (Section 3.7: Option C).
Treatment condition:
To use Option C, Sea container must be fully enclosed.
Treat offshore within 21 days of shipping to New Zealand.
Treat on arrival at a place of first arrival or at a transitional facility.
Aircraft, motor boats and yachts from Japan and Schedule 3 countries
Break Bulk or containerised
Inspected and treated with a residual insecticide before arriving in New Zealand, and treatment repeated on arrival, followed by MPI inspection (Section 3.5 of the IHS).
The MPI-Approved Treatment must be conducted offshore.
Sea containers from Italy (including all cargo within)
Sea containers and all cargo held within
Treated with an MPI-Approved Treatment
The container may be eligible for inspection instead of treatment if the importer has notified MPI that the sea container contains cargo which may be damaged by the treatments for BMSB specified in the MPI Approved Biosecurity Treatments.
If the sea container only holds VME which have been treated as per VME IHS, an additional sea container treatment is not required.
Classes of sea containers containing cargo that may be sensitive to approved treatments may be excluded from these treatments. Equivalent management may be used at the discretion of an MPI inspector.
The importer must make arrangements with an MPI inspector for an inspection.
The following goods don't require MPI-approved treatment (using fumigation, heat or insecticides):
All new air-freighted risk goods (excluding entire vehicles or large machinery from Japan and Schedule 3 countries during the risk season).
New (not field-tested) items in the exempt list below that are packaged:
in cartons or on pallets immediately after manufacture, or
in impervious packaging at a subsequent packing point under the direct control of the manufacturer and shipped in sea containers for direct sale. Items repackaged at a separate location that isn't controlled by the manufacturing company aren't exempt because cross-contamination with BMSB could occur.
Exempt items for #2 above include:
bakery, food processing and restaurant equipment
bicycles and bicycle parts (including electric units)
boat parts
car parts
children's sports equipment/toys (for example, scooters, in-line or roller skates, skateboards)
exercise equipment (for example, exercycles, rowing machines, and treadmills)
filters (for example, air conditioning or automotive)
hand tools and hardware and home handyman items
household appliances and their parts (for example, dishwashers, dryers, ovens, vacuums, washing machines, or waste disposal units for domestic use)
laboratory equipment
motorbikes, motor scooters, quad bikes, side-by-side racers/vehicles (whether electric or liquid fuelled) and parts of these items
tyres (new and containerised)
power tools for domestic or home handyman use.
MPI may target goods on the list if their risk status changes.
Note: Importers and agents no longer need to apply for an eBACCa for goods that were previously under BMSB requirements, unless the goods are under a separate risk tariff.
BMSB inspections
To make sure the measures to manage BMSB are working, MPI inspects specific goods from BMSB risk countries (Japan and Scedule 3 countries) throughout the season. You also have a legal obligation under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to notify MPI of risk pests, such as BMSB.
Light traps have been effective in previous seasons to help operators quickly find and respond to BMSB. Manufacturers, importers and shipping line operators are encouraged to use traps to monitor for the presence of BMSB in:
manufacturing and storage facilities
load ports
shipping vessels.
Voluntary use of light traps may reduce the need for verification of the vessel when it arrives in New Zealand. Report any pests to MPI.
How we charge
For all imported goods, MPI charges the owner or importer of the goods for our services, including: